NEW DELHI: Air India crew, which has been operating evacuation flights to corona hotspots like Wuhan, Japan and Europe, has complained of poor quality personal protective equipment (PPE). Crew members say there have been occasions when hazmat suits have got ruptured on these flights. Indian Pilots’ Guild, union of erstwhile Air India (before with Indian Airlines), wrote to airline chairman Rajiv Bansal last Saturday (March 28), saying: “During our recent rescue flights, the protective equipment being provided to the flight crew has been failing with an alarming frequency or has been plagued with other issues. For example, shoe covers have failed in as little as 10 minutes, gloves in 3 hours, hand sanitisers on board have not been provided in sufficient quantity, hazmat suits have been ill fitting and (are) available only in limited quantity increasing the risk of rupture.” “We have repeatedly emphasised that the risk of contagion (spreading) is very high for flight crew because of the nature of duty. Even at the peak of this crisis if corners are being cut when it comes to protecting rescue personnel adequately, the entire purpose of the government initiative (21-day lockdown to prevent spread) is lost and the repercussions will be felt widely not just in the airline industry but the country as a whole… request you to ensure that our flight crew get the best equipment available to perform these important duties,” says the letter by Captain Kanav Hingorani, IPG general secretary.